Mario Chalmers level-headed despite higher profile

MIAMI – — There was a question on Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers's mind, but perhaps he already knew the answer.

Just to make sure, he decided to ask anyway. He interrupted Dwyane Wade during an interview near the end of the team's media day last month.

Chalmers asked: "You think I'll ever not be the little brother of the team?"

Wade answered: "Nah, that'll never happen. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Chalmers may always have to play in the shadows of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but winning a title has somewhat boosted his personal profile. He spent the summer in a smaller version of the spotlight, making public appearances usually reserved for his more well-known teammates.

"It was fun," Chalmers said. "This was my first time being able to do that and get a little attention. It did feel good. I want people to notice me and know what I'm doing. I'm just trying to get my name out there."

He made in-studio appearances on BET, ESPN and Fox Business, discussing everything from basketball to his charitable foundation. For Chalmers, it was the most attention he had received since his college playing days at Kansas.

Even in basketball-crazy Lawrence, Kan., he never experienced a moment such as when he arrived at a New York City apparel store during the summer.

"We were in the store shopping and the whole store kind of just shut down," Chalmers said. "It was like, `We got Mario Chalmers here, championship point guard.' Being in a different city like New York, where they got the Knicks, if you can get love there, it just feels really good."

Chalmers is now to the point where his Twitter page has fans announcing they named their child after him. He's come a long way from his past consistency problems; he put together a strong performance during last year's playoffs, averaging 11.3 points and 3.9 assists. The highlight was a 25-point effort in the pivotal Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

So can the brash Chalmers avoid overconfidence after all the success and attention? When asked about his point guard's confidence, LeBron James said: "If there's one guy on our team, he doesn't need any more confidence."

During an August interview, Chalmers took exception to Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo reportedly claiming he was the league's best point guard.

"The question popped up, `Do I feel Rondo is the best point guard in the league,"' Chalmers said. "I said, `No, he's one of the top point guards. With my personality, I'm not going to say he's the best. Even if he is, I'm not going to say it. That's just the way I am."

He later in the interview said he was in the "front end of the top 10" point guards in the league.

"You look at my numbers," Chalmers said. "You look at what I've done, I've got a championship ring now. That's got to put you up there somewhere. But I'm not worried about that. They asked me a question. My main focus is the team. I'm just trying to win a championship."

Heat coach Erik Spoesltra said they have no worries about Chalmers reading too many of his press clippings. He's played that way his entire career, so a little extra attention should not affect his mind-set.

"That would have already happened three of four years ago," Spoelstra said. "The confidence is going to be there regardless. What you're seeing now is better poise, better maturity. He's just starting to get it now."

Chalmers said he will remain humble for one reason. This is the last guaranteed year of the three-year deal he signed last December.

"I have tons of things for motivation," Chalmers said. "After this year, it will be my contract year. That was my main motivation. If I want to be one of those elite players, I've got to win championships in a row. That's my motivation."